FAQ – Why did my puppy get worms?

Most dogs are born with worms, but don’t worry, they are easy to control with a trip to the vet.

As a breeder, we give our puppies de-worming medicine every two weeks. But even with doing that, worms can show up overnight. On occasion a new owner will call us in a panic because their puppy has worms in its stool right after they take it home. If this happens with your puppy just call your vet.

Since there are various types of worms, your vet will want you to bring in a stool sample to determine what kind of worm(s) your puppy has and then give it the appropriate treatment. You should also take the puppy’s shot record we gave you so your vet can see the type of medicine it has already been given for worms.

Here are some signs a dog may have worms:

Visible worms or eggs in the feces

Visible worms in fur or around dog’s rear

Scratching or rubbing of rear

Visible worms in vomit

Bloated stomach or belly

Weakness, increased appetite, constant hunger, and weight loss

Diarrhea, particularly with blood

Since even adult dogs can get worms, watch for the signs above, and let your vet see your dog if you’re concerned.

For those who want to know more and have a better understanding about worms, click here. A new window will open the AKC “worms in dogs” webpage.